You might think of a suit as pure business attire — especially for women — but stars are bringing it to the Hollywood red carpet this year. A-listers have ditched traditional glam gowns or standard tuxedos for sleek two-pieces with bold prints, sequins and even piles of tulle. In other words, these suits certainly weren’t made for fluorescent-lit boardrooms; they were made to command the paparazzi.
Some of the best times of the year are those that lean into the minimalist ethos. For example, while promoting her movie Blonde, Ana de Armas caused a stir in New York in a sequined Brunello Cucinelli three-piece suit with a glittery tank top. At the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, Keke Palmer also chose the black suit of Act N.1, which was piled up with electric blue tulle, and the unexpected design made people turn heads.
If only this year’s suits weren’t covered in exaggerated crystals or tulle, they were plastered all over in high-octane prints. At this year’s SXSW, Dakota Johnson opted for a Gucci printed suit that looked like it was covered in wallpaper (in the best possible way). Cate Blanchett attends Pinocchio premiere in a white double-breasted Alexander McQueen style at the London Film Festival Mirrored, overlaid with abstract eye patterns. All eyes were on her that night. Like every other fashion celebrity, they all proved that a suit can exist outside of a 9-to-5 job. You can dress like a boss, there is no actually boss.
Men, meanwhile, embraced more unconventional suit styles. Wesley Snipes went viral when he wore a Givenchy suit with Bermuda shorts instead of trousers at this year’s Oscars. Harry Styles also attended the Toronto Film Festival in a green Gucci suit, adorned with a giant boutonniere. Who needs a square when you can shake a flower?
Here are more of the best outfit moments of the year.
